The ILO and the multilateral system

Decent work has become a universal objective and is highlighted by Goal 8 of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and across other interconnected SDGs. In order to achieve decent work for all women and men in all corners of the world, governments, businesses, employers’ and workers’ organizations need to make this a political priority.  

The multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core, provides support to countries in their endeavours to achieve sustainable development. As emphasized by the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, “decent work is key to sustainable development, addressing income inequality and ending poverty, paying special attention to areas affected by conflict, disaster and other humanitarian emergencies”.

The UN development system continues to reform to be fit for purpose. The ILO and its tripartite constituents continue to be active agents in the process to bring about a more coherent and coordinated UN system by joining efforts with its many partners at global, regional and country levels. As mentioned by the UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the Centenary Declaration, the ILO and its constituents have played an historic role and positive contributions during its 100 years of promoting social justice.​ 

The ILO also cooperates within the broader multilateral system that includes the G7, G20, international financial institutions and regional groupings, to promote policy coherence on decent work issues, recognizing the strong, complex and crucial links between social, trade, financial, economic and environmental policies. Hence, the Organization is well positioned to develop its human-centred approach to the future of work. 

Latest

  1. UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession puts forward recommendations to allow teachers to become drivers of change in education

    26 February 2024

    Recommendations from the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession, aimed at transforming the future of the teaching profession, were launched at the 14th Policy Dialogue Forum of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030.

  2. Cabo Verde officially joins the Global Accelerator supported by the Government of Portugal

    02 February 2024

    The government of the Republic of Cabo Verde has officially confirmed its interest to join the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions aiming to create synergies between integrated policy solutions, increase investments, and improve multilateral cooperation on decent jobs and universal social protection.

  3. Navigating the Future of Work: A call for inclusive and sustainable solutions

    23 January 2024

    In his address to the ECOSOC Special Meeting on “The Future of Work: towards a productive, inclusive and sustainable global society,” ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, explains how advancing decent work and social justice are pivotal to address the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements, demographic shifts, and the climate crisis.

How the ILO works with the multilateral system

  1. The ILO and the United Nations

    The ILO works with the rest of the UN family, at all levels, to promote decent work and sustainable development.

  2. The ILO and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development

    A new post-2015 era demands a responsive framework where prominence is given to “inclusive and sustainable growth and decent employment” as part of transformative and mutually reinforcing actions for all countries.

  3. The ILO and the World Bank Group

    The World Bank Group and the ILO have partnered to help countries invest in stronger social protection systems, encourage youth employment, promote skills development and build resilient infrastructure to encourage employment opportunities.

  4. The ILO and the G20

    The G20 can be seen as the premier forum for international economic cooperation and the ILO contributes data, analysis and policy recommendations on labour, economic and social issues to the G20 to strengthen the global economy.

The ILO and other multilateral partnerships

  1. The ILO and the International Monetary Fund

    The IMF and the ILO have come together to stimulate discussion on how international cooperation and policy innovation can improve the capacity of economies to generate enough good jobs to strengthen social cohesion.